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Join Secretary Clinton's Strategic Dialogue With Civil Society

As Secretary Clinton's Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies. I'm writing to extend an invitation: I'd like you to join us online tomorrow to take part in Secretary Clinton's Global Town Hall with Civil Society. This event will kick off the 2012 Summit of our Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society, and we want you involved.

"Civil society" is the term we use to describe activists, organizations, congregations, and journalists who work through peaceful means to make our countries better. In one way or another, you're probably a part of civil society already. Over the last year, we've watched as civil society has changed our world. Courageous young men and women have brought dignity and democracy to North Africa. Citizens have pushed scores of governments to be more accountable. And technology has made it easier than ever before for people to come together around common goals to advance the common good.

Against that backdrop, Secretary Clinton launched the Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society as the State Department's flagship effort to engage partners beyond government. This marked a big change for us. We've had a lot of practice conducting diplomacy with other countries. But diplomacy with those outside of government is relatively new, even if it's rapidly becoming an integral part of our work. There have been excellent efforts at embassies and in bureaus where our diplomats have built strong relationships with civil society, but we've realized that we need to expand that cooperation to every issue and country where we're active.

For the last year, representatives from the State Department and leading activists have come together and worked to turn ideas from civil society into concrete policy proposals. Tomorrow -- for the first time -- Secretary Clinton will announce action on the recommendations that have emerged from this process. Secretary Clinton will also answer questions from civil society representatives with us in Washington and participating at embassy and consulate viewing parties around the world.

Comments

Comments

palgye

May 21, 2012

Palgye writes:

Facebook and twitter make someone, a someond makes wealths. but i phone, i pad makes a poverty, middle class, a wealth makes more rich.......manufacturing, so many app invent, store, selling and more fat to us.....

we need just like a smart phone, tablet pc.......not copycat

sami m.

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Jordan

May 18, 2012

Sami M. in Jordan writes:

Madam.
I do not have something important with my life more than you of follow-up. You are American and you are a U.S.

position61

May 16, 2012

W.W. writes:

Beyond military solutions

Alliances must be built on solid foundations to handle both routine and sudden unforeseen challenges. Crisis-driven â€œcoalitions of the willingâ€ by themselves are not the building blocks for a stable world. We need to think more broadly, deeply and strategically.

American military power and force structure cannot sustain its commitments without a shift to a more comprehensive strategic approach to global threats and a more flexible and agile military. Cyber warfare is a paramount example of these new threats.

The perception of American power around the world must not rest solely on a military orientation or optic. There must be an underlying commitment to engagement and humanity. Engagement is not appeasement, nor is it negotiation. It is not a guarantee of anything, but rather a smart diplomatic bridge to better understanding and possible conflict resolution.

American foreign policy must reflect the realities and demands of the global economy. The global economy cannot be shut out of foreign policy. There can be no higher priority for America than to remain economically competitive in a world undergoing a historic diffusion of economic power. A nation’s strength is anchored to and underpinned by its economic strength. The connections between America’s trade, economic, and energy policies must also be synthesized into a strategic vision for American foreign policy that not only meets the challenges of our time, but frames the completeness of long-term policies for strategic future outcomes. Trade is a major catalyst for economic strength and growth at home and abroad, as well as a critical stabilizer for world peace and prosperity. America must remain the global champion of free, fair and open trade. As the world’s strongest, largest and most dynamic economy, America must continue to lead world trade. Economic strength must be as high a priority as any other foreign policy priority.

America’s security and growth are connected to both the American and global economies. A centerpiece of this security is energy security. Energy security and energy interdependence are interconnected parts of a broad and deep foreign policy paradigm that frames the complexity of the challenges that face America and the world.

A diverse portfolio of energy that is accessible and affordable is the core of America’s energy security. Much of the world’s energy is produced in countries and regions that are consumed by civil unrest, lack of human rights, corruption, underdevelopment, and conflict. The price of oil is driven by supply and demand and the global market. We must ensure diversification of sources of supply and distribution networks to prevent undue dependence on any one country or region. Instability and violence disrupt supply and distribution and increase prices.

Shaping change

The risks that the world faces today are great, but so is the capacity to deal with them. America must not fear change, but rather embrace it and help shape it, and with our partners help lead the world to a higher purpose of peace, opportunity and dignity for all. Challenge and response are sources of strength.

The American image in the world will require continued repair. The coin of the realm for any leadership will always be trust and confidence. Without it, there is no leadership.

A wise American foreign policy for the early part of the 21st century is one that realizes that we enhance our standing in the world not just through our power, but through our purpose; understands that great power has its limits, and that we must share the heavy responsibilities of world leadership with our allies; appreciates that together we can shape the interconnected realities of the world into workable and positive actions that benefit all peoples; listens to our friends and understands their interests; understands the dangerous forces that will continue to influence a complicated interconnected world; has learned the disastrous lessons of invasion and occupation; and balances our policies and actions with an honest present and future perspective.

Senator Chuck Hagel is chairman of the Atlantic Council. A former two-term senator representing Nebraska (1997-2009), Hagel was a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees. He is currently co-chair of President Obama’s Intelligence Advisory Board and a distinguished professor at Georgetown University

type17

May 16, 2012

W.W. writes:

we must have courage - courage to press our opinions where the evidence warrants, no matter how unpopular our conclusions might be, and courage to recast our findings when our thinking changes or when we find new evidence

Eric

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New Mexico, USA

May 16, 2012

Eric in New Mexico writes:

I got only one suggestion for the US gov. to radically improve its dialoge with civil society instantaneously, and that's to drop a big rock on the heads of uncivilized dictators when they run amok killing folks in civil society, every chance you folks have to drop one on them without further warning.

How's this logic grab you folks @ State?

You might get some peace in this world eventually this way!

You want to end nuclear proliferation? End the regimes who want to aquire nuclear weapons!

You want to end poverty? Create the means for people to enrich themselves sans corruption sucking their lifeblood from them!

These things are so basic I think people have become deaf, dumb, and blind to the obvious!

No more excuses!

Get it done!

EJ

Mel

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New Jersey, USA

May 16, 2012

Mel in New Jersey writes:

The State Department's Office of Children's Issues has very publicly promoted its efforts to encourage foreign governments to join the Hague Abduction Convention, yet the rate of successful returns of internationally abducted children from Hague partners has on average sat at approximately 36% for the past decade and is only marginally better than return rates of non-Hague partners.

I suggest that the State Department - as a member of this "Civil Society" - focus additional energy on educating, encouraging and enforcing improved compliance with with its existing treaty partners. The â€œSean and David Goldman International Child Abduction, Prevention and Return Actâ€ (H.R. 1940) was designed to empower the U.S. State Department with more tools to achieve the return of children abducted from the U.S., yet the Department of State has not embraced or supported this important piece of legislation.

Civil Society means being accountable to our treaty obligations, and holding others accountable when they fail to do so.

Patrick

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Maryland, USA

May 18, 2012

Patrick in Maryland writes:

Hi DipNote & Secretary HC.

I like the" Civil Society Approachability."

bharat p.

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India

May 21, 2012

Bharat P. in India writes:

india vear very bad country but all govt people corpasan pepopl but new rulse to all world corpasan to world gove

Lucky I.

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Minnesota, USA

May 24, 2012

Lucky in Minnesota writes:

Dear Secretary Clinton,

Please consider defamation/libelous attacks against anyone a serious crime and make it a strong human rights violation law. This will significantly improve the image of a country and help victims to have the freedom and support to prosper. A local community based govt. organization can specifically help the victims of such crimes. Lawyers' high fees are a barrier for many of these victims to pursue any defense. I hope you will look into this and allow a special sector just for these type issues to help people. A Civil Society can not be created when defamation attacks are to ruin people's dignity, reputation, sexuality and respect in the society. This is now happening more and more as the internet technology is available to users all around the world. Please do something before it becomes a huge issue. Thank you.